Photo from Save The Elephants

It is with heavy hearts that WAN shares the heartbreaking news of the world’s most prolific ivory trade investigator living in Kenya, Esmond Bradley Martin, who was found dead yesterday at his home in Langata, Nairobi.

The well-respected 75-year-old United States citizen, who was known for his undercover investigations into the illegal trade in rhino horn and ivory, reportedly succumbed to a stab wound in the neck.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of wildlife-trade researcher and geographer Esmond Bradley Martin, who has died in suspicious circumstances at his home in Nairobi. A passionate champion of wildlife, meticulous researcher and advocate of the truth, his loss will be deeply felt by his family and all those who knew him,” eulogized Save The Elephants, for which Martin conducted many investigations over the years. “Conservation has lost an important figure, elephants have lost a great champion and the shock of Esmond’s death will be felt around the world.”

The non-profit conservation organization shared on its Facebook page that Martin was in the office on Friday to review the Laotian translation of his latest report into Laos’ growing trade and eager to discuss how it could be used to greatest effect.

Martin, who originally came to East Africa in the 1970’s to investigate a massive slaughter of elephants in the region which was followed in the 1980’s by rhinos, was instrumental in helping to persuade China to shut down its legal rhino horn trade in 1993 and ivory trade last year.

No suspects have been apprehended as of yet. May Esmond’s killer be found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Justice will be served!

R.I.P. Esmond! We Will Not Give Up The Fight To Save Elephants & Rhinos From Extinction!

If you have any information on the suspect, please contact:

Kenya Police at: info@kenyapolice.go.ke

Phone:254-020-3341411http://www.kenyapolice.go.ke

Help us continue to bring you the latest breaking animal news from around the world and consider making a Donation Here! www.peace4animals.net/donate

Please share our articles, follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter! Go Plant-Based!